Rory McIlroy and
Luke Donald earned a valuable one-and-a-half points for Europe as the Ryder Cup hosts look to hold off a final-day rally from the United States at Celtic Manor.

On fire: Luke Donald came out all guns blazing for Europe in the Ryder Cup (Getty)

Having been nip and tuck for the entire match, Stewart Cink missed a 15ft putt for birdie as it drifted just past the hole – giving McIlroy the chance to tie the hole and half the match.

And the young Ulsterman held his nerve to roll in from 5ft to earn Europe’s second point of any sort on Monday.

Then in the following match, Donald held his nerve to chip onto the 18th green while Jim Furyk landed in the bunker – the Englishman two-putting from 25ft to halve the hole and win the match 1up.

Earlier Ian Poulter romped to a 5&4 victory over Matt Kuchar, but only after the Americans had claimed two full points through opening player Steve Stricker (2&1 over Lee Westwood) and Dustin Johnson (6&4 over Martin Kaymer).

That brought the scores back to 9.5-8.5 although McIlroy, Poulter and Donald’s points ensure the gap now sits at a far more comfortable 12-9 as Europe – led by captain Colin Montgomerie – look to reclaim the trophy they lost at the K Club two years ago.